Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to recommence Garda recruitment this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28844/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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No date has been fixed for future intakes into the Garda College or for the commencement of a recruitment competition.

What will ultimately determine the sustainable level of Garda numbers, and therefore establish when recruitment will recommence, is the level of budgetary provision that can be made for the Force. Difficult decisions will continue to have to be made, right across the public sector, in order to bring our public finances back into balance. The decision on when recruitment will re-commence will also take into account the rate of retirements in the Garda Síochána and Government targets, set in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF, to reduce the numbers of public servants.